A new Resident Card will be issued under the new Residency Management System effective July 9, 2012. Effective July 9, 2012, there will be a new Residency Management System for all foreign nationals residing in Japan. Consequently, the existing Alien Registration Card (ARC) will be replaced by a new Resident Card, which will serve as […]
Headlines: 1. President Announces Deferred Action, Work Authorization for Certain Children of Undocumented Persons – In a surprise move, President Barack Obama announced that certain children of undocumented persons may be granted deferred action and work authorization based on prosecutorial discretion. 2. H-1B Cap Reached – H-1B numbers for FY 2013 have run out. 3. Social Security Administration Releases Guidance […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Launches Online Immigration System – Individuals can establish a USCIS ELIS account and apply online to extend or change their nonimmigrant status for certain visa types. 2. USCIS Issues Precedent Decision on P-3 Performing Artist/Entertainer Nonimmigrant Visa Petition – The decision addresses the term “culturally unique” and its significance in adjudicating petitions for performing artists and […]
The Australian government has announced reforms to the permanent entry employer-nominated visa program to be introduced on July 1, 2012. Key reforms include: removing the existing distinction between applications with respect to whether they are made by applicants who are in or out of Australia replacing the current requirement of paying nominated permanent resident applicants […]
Headlines: 1. India, China EB-2 Category Unavailable for Remainder of FY 2012 – The Department of State’s Visa Office has announced that this category is now “Unavailable” for both India and China and will remain so for the remainder of fiscal year 2012. 2. NLRB Issues Guidance on Compliance Cases – Among other things, a respondent may not use […]
The Ministry of External Affairs (“MEA”) in India has extended the Tourist Visa on Arrival policy to residents of France, Germany and Russia. India currently issues Visa on Arrival to 11 countries namely Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar, Finland, Luxembourg and New Zealand. After the MEA’s nod, the proposal has been sent […]
Headlines: 1. USCIS Creates Controversy Over Tenant-Occupancy Economic Model – USCIS issued a memo in February questioning certain EB-5 projects that use a tenant-occupancy economic model. USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas held a call on April 27 on the tenant-occupancy economic model and related RFEs. USCIS issued guidance on May 8 on what deference it would […]
Headlines: 1. FY 2013 H-1B Petitions Coming In Fast – Over 25,000 cap-subject H-1B petitions have been filed as of April 20, 2012. 2. India, China EB-2 Category Retrogresses Dramatically – As predicted for May, the India and China EB-2 priority dates have retrogressed dramatically, from May 1, 2010, to August 15, 2007. 3. DOL Changes Effective Date of 2012 […]
Headlines: 1. FY 2013 H-1B Petitions Coming In Fast So Far – The H-1B cap could be reached more quickly than last year. 2. India, China EB-2 Category To Retrogress Dramatically – As predicted for May, the India and China EB-2 priority dates will retrogress dramatically, from May 1, 2010, to August 15, 2007. 3. Office of Foreign Labor Certification […]
Headlines: 1. FY 2013 H-1B Filing Season Begins – Beginning on April 2, 2012, employers may file cap-subject H-1B petitions for FY 2013, for employment starting on October 1, 2012, or later. 2. Department of State Amends Fees for Consular Services – The Department issued an interim final rule increasing fees for consular services for nonimmigrant visa applications, border […]